Re: SB: Re: Topping off the walls

[Athena and Bill Steen <absteen@dakotacom.net>]

> From: "John Dittli" <dittli@earthlink.net>

> We stuffed the last six inches of our walls as tightly as possible, between
> expanded metal lath, with loose straw. We then put plastic over top followed
> by ceiling insulation.

I would think that putting plastic on top of the wall with no plaster would
potentially be inviting condensation underneath the plastic depending upon
the conditions.  Since heat rises, and since it will carry any moisture
around with it, the tops of your walls would be most vulnerable.

This doesn't "seal" the straw in plaster which some
> feel is asking for trouble (fire/pests). However, it is unlikely for a fire
> to start at the top of your wall unless there is some sort of excessive heat
> source or flame. In my case, if I have excessive heat or flame at the top of
> my wall, then my roof is on fire! If my roof is on fire I'm beyond worrying
> about my walls (volunteer fire department is about 1/2 hour away).

Don't be so sure that you would be finished at that point if the tops of
your walls were covered with plaster.  We had the roof of a building burn
completely in Mexico and the fire left the walls completely intact.
However, I should point out that there was a covering of about 3 inches or
more of dense clay and straw on top of the wall and not plastic.
> 
Bill


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